Covalently Crosslinked 1,2,3-Triazolium-Containing Polyester Networks: Thermal, Mechanical, and Conductive Properties

Azide-alkyne "click" cyclization was used to prepare a series of polymerizable acetoacetate monomers containing a 1,2,3-trizolium ionic liquid group. The monomers were subsequently polymerized using base-catalyzed Michael addition chemistry, producing a series of covalently crosslinked 1,2,3-triazolium poly(ionic liquid) (TPIL) networks. Structure-activity relationships were conducted to gauge how synthetic variables, such as counteranion ([Br], [NO₃], [BF₄], [OTf], and [NTf₂]), and crosslink density (acrylate/acetoacetate ratio) effected thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties. TPIL networks were found to exhibit ionic conductivities in the range of 10^-6-10^-9 S/cm (30 °C, 30% relative humidity), as determined from dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, despite their highly crosslinked nature. Temperature-dependent conductivities demonstrate a dependence on polymer glass transition, with free-ion concentrations impacted by various ions' Lewis acidity/basicity and ion mobilities impacted by freely mobile anion size.